Party Mart comes down

Location being developed into new apartments near A.T. Still campus

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Kirksville Daily Express - Kirksville, MO

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Posted Dec. 14, 2012 at 2:00 PM

Posted Dec. 14, 2012 at 2:00 PM

A long-time vacant commercial space in downtown Kirksville is coming down with the developer’s potential plan that the lot will become a 15-unit apartment building that would appeal to both Truman State and A.T. Still University student renters.

The vacant property located on the southwest corner of Elson and Jefferson streets, just south of the downtown square, was most recently a drive-through liquor store as well as one of Kirksville’s former Hardee’s locations.

But developer Hickman and Read is in the process of demolishing the standing structure and will begin the process of obtaining permits and code variances for the apartment’s construction.

“We’re looking at putting 15 units there, we’re not sure exactly and the plan is not totally established,” said developer Ken Read.

Read said if the apartment plan proceeds, he will likely be before city officials asking for codes variances due to the lack of green space surrounding the property, but expressed a belief due to its downtown nature it would be acceptable.

“We’re trying to build a nicer building there,” Read said. “We’ve got until August 1 to do them, for [Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine] or new dental students. We’ve got some time to play with it.”

Read said the floor plans will likely be identical to the two-story rental units recently constructed by Hickman and Read on south Franklin Street just to the south of the downtown and that the building could potentially also house a commercial business due to zoning requirements.

“We want to clean that lot up, it will make it look better and increase the tax base and be good for everyone,” he said. “Same story, different day.”